Page 133 of A Bargain with the Fae King

“It’s a long story.” I sniffle, trying to halt my tears. God, I’ve cried so much recently. You’d think I’d have run out of tears by now. “How did you find us?”

“I had the craziest dream a few nights ago. I thought that’s all it was, but I just couldn’t get it out of my head. It took me days to find that damn tree circle again.”

Barely contained laughter shakes my chest. The dreams had affected me the same way.

“This is real, isn’t it?” he asks me.

I nod. “This is Faery.”

“That’s what they told me. I saw the ears but still.” He shakes his head. “Your mother’s been so worried. Damn near had to sedate her. Time to get you girls home.”

About that…

May wiggles in his grip. “It’s only been a day. Can I stay and play more?”

Dad’s eyes widen and cut to me in a silent question.

“Like I said, really long story.” And about to get longer.

His gaze shifts past me now, at the two imposing fae males still likely lurking behind us. His jaw stiffens, a hard edge to his voice as he says, “Friends of yours?”

“They helped me find—”

“That one is Lia’s boyfriend,” May exclaims and points to Riven.

Oh, my God. I want to die. To sink beneath the ground and hide forever.

The feeling only intensifies when Dad’s flat gaze settles on me, demanding answers. Nothing I can say will make him feel any better about this situation. Dad pushes to his feet as Riven and Ambrose approach.

Riven holds out his hand in an oddly human gesture of greeting. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Dad just blinks at it and then at me.

Shit.Say something, Lia. Anything.

I swallow. “As I was saying, they helped me find May.”

Now it’s May’s turn to look confused as she stares up at us all, her lips pursed.

A sigh of relief slips through my lips when Dad finally grips Riven’s hand in return and gives it one, hard shake. “Thank you for my daughters, but we’ll be leaving now.”

“Dad…”

“No buts,” he says, “You can explain it all later, but now we’re going home.” He takes May’s hand and strides for the stones.

“Should I talk to him?” Riven whispers and wraps his arm around my shoulder.

Someone has to but not Riven. “No, I’ll do it. Wait for me.”

“Forever.”

It wasn’t a question, but his answer sends my pulse racing anyway.

May protests as Dad practically drags her into the circle of stones.

“How’s this damn thing work?” he says.

“I can show you, but I can’t go with you,” I reply.

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